I suggest a list for those who're newer to the bass clarinet and aren't sure where to listen for in terms of a good sound concept. Classical, jazz, rock, genre doesn't matter. Before I pronounce the initial list, they're entire male and I realize that might trigger a few people so I'll mention Adison Evans here, because she's an amazing saxophonist who happen to play bass as well.

My list isn't all seeing, please if you know some others that are highly regarded, or should, then feel free to mention them here. I'll begin listing in no particular order.

Harry Spaarnay: Pioneer of not only contemporary music, but the instrument itself too. Didn't he inspire the invention of the Buffet Tosca basses? Great teacher, and will always be remembered for what he contributed to the world of this beloved "ugly duckling" of an instrument.

Michael Lowenstern: Student to Spaarnay, ambassador of the instrument. Sorta like Yo-Yo Ma, since he's crossed many genres well with the bass. Big inspiration of mine.

Eric Dolphy: There are so many tracks to choose from but I'll direct to this take on the jazz standard Naima because it's the one I find myself listening to the most that isn't too far down the "obsecure crazy jazz" rabbit-hole. I'm quite fond of his flute playing; I even wrote a flute song after it. Shameless plug here

I'd put Adison Evans in the regular list. She's got one of the best bass clarinet sounds I've ever heard--not a trace of buzz, hardness, or brittleness but round and resonant. She seems to have a more distinctive voice on bass clarinet than she does on baritone sax.

Yuen-Soo Yang is a excellent clarinetist on both soprano and bass instruments.
He has a very light but mellow sound and fleet, effortless technique.

Both Adison and Yuen-Suo manage to steer the bass clarinet away from a harsh, hard, barren kind of sound and invest it with real romantic lushness, color, and expressiveness. I'd like to hear how Adison sounds on the Vandoren BD5 bass clarinet mouthpiece.

Well we have to look at Eddie Palanker. 60 years or so with the Baltimore Symphony. Many of his gifted students are sitting in orchestras now.

Also John Bruce Yeh who got into the Chicago Symphony at the age of 19 on the bass clarinet. It's not his main instrument probably but it was the Chicago Symphony! One of the top orchestras in the world.

I am so honoured to be on your list- thank you so much for listening to my humble online endeavours. While I hardly qualify to be on such an esteemed list, I would like to nominate the jazz musician Roxy Coss. The track #MeToo on her The Future Is Female album is pretty remarkable. Also, I am not a Yamaha artist. I would love to be, though!

DougR thank for sharing that! Louis' solos reminded me of a lot. I felt some inspiration from dolphy, rock'n'roll alto sax, and some violin cadenzas from classical music. I haven't listened to much soprano sax lately but I felt a significant amount of Coltrane. The way he swung the 16ths and applyed the bebop scales all screamed "OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR COLTRANE BE-ETH MINE EXPRESSION". Fantastic band for that piece though. I'm adding that to my metaphorical iPod now.

Think I'll mention Lee Livengood from the Utah Symphony and Steve Hanusofsky from the Phoenix Symphony. Both have held their chairs for quite awhile.

I think there are many good players out there if one were to listen for them.

The late Joe Temperly was wonderful on bass clarinet with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and his arrangement and playing of "Single Petal of a Rose" is perhaps the finest example of bass clarinet tone I've ever heard. Very moving. He first played it for his wife on their anniversary (believe 50th) if I'm remembering the story correctly. Begins at 52:39 on the video link below, performed just months before his passing.

Don't forget Henri Bok, who in my opinion is just as influential as Harry Spaarnay on the advancement of the bass as a solo instrument and one of those who pioneered the bass clarinet performance degree program.

Jim Ognibene of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra is a superstar orchestral bass clarinetist . Every time I hear the orchestra, his solos stand out as equal or better than the other excellent principal players.

Chris Runk who recently retired from the Dallas Symphony is another favorite of mine. Hearing him play the first time opened my eyes as to how the upper register of the bass clarinet can sound beautiful.